Comments on: Question of the Week: Pain and Suffering? http://www.chadsblog.net/question-of-the-week-pain-and-suffering/ The Abundant Life. Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:15:27 +0000 hourly 1 By: Chad Harvey http://www.chadsblog.net/question-of-the-week-pain-and-suffering/comment-page-1/#comment-276 Chad Harvey Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:22:01 +0000 http://www.chadsblog.net/?p=111#comment-276 Hey Vin, I agree. For some reason we use the part of God's Word that speaks of Him as all powerful and all loving to accuse Him of being complacent or even in favor when it comes to pain and suffering. We then ignore the parts that discuss our freedom in decisions and the fact that God will one day end pain and suffering for those who trusted in Jesus. I would appreciate your prayers as I discuss this with our students tomorrow night. Thanks. Hey Vin, I agree. For some reason we use the part of God’s Word that speaks of Him as all powerful and all loving to accuse Him of being complacent or even in favor when it comes to pain and suffering. We then ignore the parts that discuss our freedom in decisions and the fact that God will one day end pain and suffering for those who trusted in Jesus.

I would appreciate your prayers as I discuss this with our students tomorrow night. Thanks.

]]> By: Vin Thomas http://www.chadsblog.net/question-of-the-week-pain-and-suffering/comment-page-1/#comment-275 Vin Thomas Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:58:22 +0000 http://www.chadsblog.net/?p=111#comment-275 Hey Chadwick, Great topic! I was thinking about this recently as well. Here are some thoughts. The reason there is pain in suffering is not because God wills it on our lives. We need to first understand the nature of sin before we can point fingers. If we do believe that God is the one who actually controls every move we make, then yes -- we are in a bit of a pickle. But if you understand that God loves us and desires for us to love Him and others, then everything comes a bit clearer. Because He loves us, he doesn't force us to do ANYTHING. Even when we sin, he doesn't force our hands otherwise. It is because of Divine Love that we are free. And that freedom often results in rebellion. It is a sad truth that we are so prone to sin. But it isn't something that we should put on God's shoulders. It is our own stubborn rebellion that brings it upon ourselves. Loved and Free. Hey Chadwick,

Great topic! I was thinking about this recently as well. Here are some thoughts. The reason there is pain in suffering is not because God wills it on our lives. We need to first understand the nature of sin before we can point fingers. If we do believe that God is the one who actually controls every move we make, then yes — we are in a bit of a pickle. But if you understand that God loves us and desires for us to love Him and others, then everything comes a bit clearer. Because He loves us, he doesn’t force us to do ANYTHING. Even when we sin, he doesn’t force our hands otherwise. It is because of Divine Love that we are free. And that freedom often results in rebellion. It is a sad truth that we are so prone to sin. But it isn’t something that we should put on God’s shoulders. It is our own stubborn rebellion that brings it upon ourselves.

Loved and Free.

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